Disc film frame position indicator

Abstract

An apparatus in combination with a photographic printer indicates the position of a selected film frame at a print gate aperture relative to other film frames in a disc-like film unit having a plurality of film frames. The apparatus includes a disc-like film unit holder for rotationally indexing selected film frames to the print gate aperture having a first gear. A second gear provides motive force through a suitable actuating mechanism for rotationally indexing the disc-like film unit on the holder assembly. A third gear having indicia for indicating relative positions of the film frames in the disc film unit is rotatably positioned between the first and the second gear and cooperates with the first and the second gear to rotationally index the disc-like film unit on the holder assembly. Only the indicia that indicates the selected film frame positioned at the print gate aperture is viewable.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus in combination with a photographic printer having a print gate aperture, the apparatus indicating which of a plurality of film frames of a disc-like film unit is positioned at the print gate aperture, the apparatus comprising: a base positioned on the photographic printer;   means for holding the disc-like film unit for rotational indexing of the selected film frame to the print gate aperture including a first gear, the means for holding a disc-like film unit being rotatably attached to the base;   means for actuating the rotational indexing of selected film frames to the print gate aperture including a second gear, the means for actuating positioned on the base;   indicia display means having a third gear for displaying indicia to indicate which of the film frames in a disc-like film unit is at the print gate aperture, the third gear being rotatably positioned on the base between the first and second gear and cooperating with the first and second gear such that the disc-like film unit is rotationally indexed; and   cover means having a viewing portion for permitting viewing only the indicium that indicates the film frame positioned at the print gate aperture.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicia are located circumferentially on an upper surface of the third gear. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indicia are numbered. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for actuating the rotational indexing includes: a ratchet wheel rotatably attached to the base and having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and   means for rotationally indexing the ratchet wheel in an angular direction to bring the selected film frames to a print position at the print gate aperture.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for rotationally indexing the ratchet wheel in an angular direction includes means for providing a motive force to index the ratchet wheel; and linkage means for transferring the motive force to the means for rotationally indexing the ratchet wheel. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the linkage means includes: a first link having a first and second end and pivotally attached to the base proximate the first end;   a second link having a first and second end and pivotally attached to the second end of the first link proximate a first end;   a third link having a first and second end and pivotally attached to the second end of the second link proximate a first end and pivotally attached to the base at the second end coaxially with the ratchet wheel;   and wherein the means for providing a motive force engaged to the first link and pivots the first link about the base and pivots the first, second and third links with respect to each other thereby indexing the disc film holder at selected film frames at a time and simultaneously positioning a corresponding indicia to indicate the selected film frames at the print gate aperture.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for providing a motive force is an electrically operated solenoid having a plunger which engages the first link. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus in combination with a photographic printer having a print gate aperture, the apparatus indicating which of a plurality of film frames of a disc-like film unit is positioned at the print gate aperture, the apparatus comprising: means for holding the disc-like film unit for rotation about a central axis;   means for indexing a selected film frame of the plurality of film frames of the plurality of film frames of the disc-like film unit into alignment with the print gate aperture by rotating the means for holding the disc-like film unit;   indicia display means having a plurality of indicia representative of different film frames of the disc unit arranged in a generally circular pattern, the indicia display means being rotatable with and as a result of rotation of the means for holding the disc-like film unit; and   means having a viewing portion for permitting viewing of the indicium carried by the indicia display means that indicate the film frame positioned at the print gate aperture.